USA Swimming National Championships: Dara Torres Lowers American, U.S. Open in 50 Fly

INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana, July 11. IN a special feature, Coral Spring's Dara Torres closed the curtains on the USA Swimming National Championships held at the IU Natatorium at IUPUI.

In a world record time trial attempt in the women's 50 fly, Torres raced to a 25.50. The performance gave her a third-straight progression of the American record, lowering her time of 25.72 set in College Station, Texas in May. Earlier that day, she broke Jenny Thompson's 2003 record of 26.00 with a 25.84 during prelims.

Torres missed the world record of 25.33 set by Marleen Veldhuis of The Netherlands in April of this year. But, her 25.50 moved her into third all time. She stands behind Velduis and Sweden's Therese Alshammar (25.46), while moving in front of Sweden's Anna-Karin Kammerling (25.57).

Tennessee's Christine Magnuson became the second American under 26 seconds with a 25.93, while Athens Bulldog Anne-Marie Botek placed third in 27.04.